Rural advocacy group urges prioritizing one‑time transportation revenues, warns of federal budget uncertainty
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Summary
A Rural Transportation Advocacy Council representative told the MPO board to prioritize one‑time state revenues for transportation and to seek an appropriation for the Arizona Smart Fund; he also flagged federal budget uncertainty and the IIJA reauthorization timeline as factors affecting local funding prospects.
A representative of the Rural Transportation Advocacy Council briefed the Lake Havasu MPO executive board on Dec. 9 about state and federal fiscal priorities ahead of the next legislative session.
Mister Adam said the council will continue to push to prioritize available one‑time revenues for transportation and is prepared with priority project legislation. He said lawmakers are likely to consider an additional appropriation for the Arizona Smart Fund to extend available funds. He also warned that uncertainty at the federal level — including a continuing resolution that pushes federal spending decisions to Jan. 30 and the upcoming IIJA reauthorization — could delay or alter funding available to states and regions.
Mister Adam told the board he is "confident" lawmakers will prioritize infrastructure if revenue is available but noted that formula updates and population data used in federal funding formulas have not been updated in 16 years, which reduces allocations to high‑growth states unless corrected. He urged the MPO to stay engaged on data and formula changes that affect state allocations.
Board members thanked the presenter; no formal action or vote followed.
